318 Build

One of the biggest no-nos on a smallblock is max-boring it, thinking you'll get more cubes and better power.
Overboring too much can lead to heating problems and power loss due to cylinder flex (losing ring seal).

My favorite 318 recipe, before I had access to 340s:

Early 318 LA block ('67-'72).
1.88 intake valved 360 'J' heads, milled .010 (deck cleanup).
1966 CAR poly head pistons. (Hard to find in oversizes these days, but look).

When used with a FelPro (blue) headgasket this build yields a calculated compression of @ 9.6:1.

Depending on cam selection, adding valve reliefs may be necessary, though I never used larger than a .470" lift cam in the (3) 318s I built with these pistons.

I also suggest, if you can, use the lighter, full-floating 318 connecting rod ('782), as they are plenty strong for the horsepower the 318 will make and they really work to lighten the reciprocating weight. These along with a cast (slightly lighter) crank will really help the 318 to rev well.

When I built these 318s, I used a stock 340 iron intake with a '71 Thermo-Quad carb, got 18 MPG with 3.55 gears, along with a 4 speed and still did my fair share of bow-tie and blue oval killing.

It's no 340 or 360, but then again, it ain't no slant six, either.

Mark.